A Lifechanging Experience Past Review
By Victoria P (ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS., Providence College) for
Fairfield University: Florence - Semester or Year in Italy
Studying abroad has helped me learn more about the world as well as myself. Being able to see and experience so many cities and countries was truly amazing, and I have realized who I am and what I want out of life.
Personal Information
| How much international exposure did you have prior to this program? | 2 weeks - 1 month |
Review Your Program
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* Overall educational experience
Academic rigor, intensity, resources, etc. |
Although less challenging that PC, I liked that my classes were all in gave us an outside of the classroom learning experience. I learned a lot about Florence through my classes, and my teachers continuously encouraged us to explore and to get to know the locals. |
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* Host Country Program Administration
On-site administration of your program |
Our program prepared us very well for our abroad experience and was always available to help us when we needed it. |
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* Housing:
How satisfied were you with your living arrangements? |
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| * Food: |
The food in Italy was excellent, but our program provided up with two meals the entire semester at a restaurant-I think we should have been provided with more. Fairfield did give excellent recommendations for restaurants; the best places to go on a budget were the small panini shops. |
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* Social & Cultural Integration:
How integrated did you feel with the local culture? |
We went to Perugia, Assisi, Siena and San Gimingino for a school trip at the beginning of the semester. It was a great trip, we had guided tours and free time in every town and it was a great way to see more of Italy. |
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* Health Care:
How well were health issues addressed during the program? |
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| * Safety: |
Overall the city is very safe. Students should be aware when walking around at night (as in any city), but I at no time felt in immediate danger. Just be careful. The local healthcare system was good; the doctor was very helpful and friendly and always available for appointments. |
| If you could do it all over again would you choose the same program? |
Yes
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Finances
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* Money: How easily were you able to live on a student's budget?
(1 = not very easy/$200+ on food & personal expenses/week, 2.5 = $100/week, 5 = very easily/minimal cost) |
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| Do you have any general money-saving tips for future study abroad participants? | Be prepared to spend more money than you expect because things add up quickly. Also, plan your semester accordingly and decide what you want to spend money on, and what you should cut back on (ie-cut back on going out to eat to travel) |
Language
| * Did your program have a foreign language component? | Yes |
| Language acquisition improvement? |
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| If applicable, to what degree did your living situation aid your language acquisition? |
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Other Program Information
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* Where did you live?
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* Who did you live with?
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* Who did you take classes with?
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A Look Back
| * What did you like most about the program? |
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| * What could be improved? |
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